US3682346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid cryogen storage tank for shore, ship or barge
Assignee: Marathon Oil Co
•
Filing: 1970-03-23
•
Granted: 1972-08-08
•
Expires: 1990-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A container for cryogenic fluids is described wherein a first layer of insulating blocks completely lines the interior of the container and at least a portion of one face of each block is bonded to the interior of the container by a cryogenic adhesive. The sides of the insulating blocks have a contractable insulating material completely surrounding them. At least a second layer of insulating blocks is bonded to the first layer of blocks; at least about 2 percent of the areas common to the faces of the first and second layers of blocks are bonded. The sides of the second layer of blocks are surrounded by a contractable insulating material. The face areas common to the blocks that are not bonded preferably have a substantially non-friction material attached thereto. The layers of blocks are arranged so that there are no direct heat paths to the walls of the container. A membrane of Invar completely covers the interior of the container and is sufficiently bonded to the interior layer of blocks to support the Invar. Optionally, another layer of insulating blocks can be bonded to the Invar and then another layer of Invar bonded to this layer of blocks-this is preferred for containers useful in transporting cryogen. Where the container is stationary, the top of the container does not have to have the membrane of Invar.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene L Sterrett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:05
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/38; B65D81/3802; B65D81/3811; F; F17; F17C; F17C13/00; F17C13/001; F17C2203/00; F17C2203/03; F17C2203/0304; F17C2203/0308; F17C2203/032; F17C2203/0345; F17C2203/035; F17C2203/06; F17C2203/0634; F17C2203/0636; F17C2203/0639; F17C2203/0658; F17C2203/066; F17C2203/0678; F17C2221/00; F17C2221/03; F17C2221/032; F17C2221/033; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0146; F17C2223/0153; F17C2223/0161; F17C2223/03; F17C2223/033; F17C2260/00; F17C2260/03; F17C2260/031; F17C2260/033; F17C2270/00; F17C2270/01; F17C2270/0102; F17C2270/0105; F17C2270/011; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/901; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249981; Y10T428/249982; Y10T428/249985
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
9 words
A CONTAINER FOR THE CONFINEMENT OF CRYOGENIC FLUIDS COMPRISING:
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
9 words
A CONTAINER FOR THE CONFINEMENT OF CRYOGENIC FLUIDS COMPRISING:
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
3 words
AN OUTER SHELL,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
3 words
AN OUTER SHELL,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A FIRST LAYER OF A PLURALITY OF INSULATING BLOCKS LINING THE INTERIOR OF THE SHELL, AT LEAST ABOUT 2 PERCENT OF THE FACE AREA OF ONE SIDE OF EACH BLOCK IS BONDED WITH A CRYOGENIC ADHESIVE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE SHELL AND THE BLOCKS ARRANGED SIDE BY SIDE, THE BLOCKS HAVING SUFFICIENT SPACE BETWEEN THE SIDES OF THE BLOCKS TO PERMIT EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF THE BLOCKS OVER THE OPERATING TEMPERATURE RANGE OF THE CONTAINER WITHOUT SHEARING THE BLOCKS FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE SHELL,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
A FIRST LAYER OF A PLURALITY OF INSULATING BLOCKS LINING THE INTERIOR OF THE SHELL, AT LEAST ABOUT 2 PERCENT OF THE FACE AREA OF ONE SIDE OF EACH BLOCK IS BONDED WITH A CRYOGENIC ADHESIVE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE SHELL AND THE BLOCKS ARRANGED SIDE BY SIDE, THE BLOCKS HAVING SUFFICIENT SPACE BETWEEN THE SIDES OF THE BLOCKS TO PERMIT EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF THE BLOCKS OVER THE OPERATING TEMPERATURE RANGE OF THE CONTAINER WITHOUT SHEARING THE BLOCKS FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE SHELL,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
a first layer of a plurality of insulating blocks lining the interior of the shell, at least about 2 percent of the face area of one side of each block is bonded with a cryogenic adhesive to the interior of the shell and the blocks arranged side by side, the blocks having sufficient space between the sides of the blocks to permit expansion and contraction of the blocks over the operating temperature range of the container without shearing the blocks from the interior of the shell,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
a first layer of a plurality of insulating blocks lining the interior of the shell, at least about 2 percent of the face area of one side of each block is bonded with a cryogenic adhesive to the interior of the shell and the blocks arranged side by side, the blocks having sufficient space between the sides of the blocks to permit expansion and contraction of the blocks over the operating temperature range of the container without shearing the blocks from the interior of the shell,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The container of claim 1 wherein at least three layers of insulating blocks are attached to the interior of the shell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
a first layer of insulating blocks completely lining the interior wall of the shell, at least a portion of one face of each block bonded by a cryogenic adhesive to the interior of the shell and the blocks arranged side by side, the blocks having sufficient space between them to permit expansion and contraction of the blocks over a temperature range of about 72* F. to about -350* F. without shearing the blocks from the interior wall,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
a first layer of insulating blocks completely lining the interior wall of the shell, at least a portion of one face of each block bonded by a cryogenic adhesive to the interior of the shell and the blocks arranged side by side, the blocks having sufficient space between them to permit expansion and contraction of the blocks over a temperature range of about 72* F. to about -350* F. without shearing the blocks from the interior wall,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
a second layer of insulating blocks completely lining the interior of the first layer of insulating blocks and arranged over said first layer so that no direct path of heat loss is permitted to the shell of the container, the blocks arranged side by side with sufficient space as defined in (2),
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
a second layer of insulating blocks completely lining the interior of the first layer of insulating blocks and arranged over said first layer so that no direct path of heat loss is permitted to the shell of the container, the blocks arranged side by side with sufficient space as defined in (2),
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The container of claim 2 wherein a membrane of Invar is sandwiched between the second and third layers and is bonded to portions of each insulating block face common to the Invar.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
a contractable and expandable insulating material completely surrounding each block and filling at least a portion of the space between the sides of the blocks,
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
a contractable and expandable insulating material completely surrounding each block and filling at least a portion of the space between the sides of the blocks,
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A CONTRACTABLE AND EXPANDABLE INSULATING MATERIAL COMPLETELY SURROUNDING EACH BLOCK AND FILLING AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE SPACE BETWEEN THE SIDES OF THE BLOCKS,
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A CONTRACTABLE AND EXPANDABLE INSULATING MATERIAL COMPLETELY SURROUNDING EACH BLOCK AND FILLING AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE SPACE BETWEEN THE SIDES OF THE BLOCKS,
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
86 words
AT LEAST A SECOND LAYER OF A PLURALITY OF INSULATING BLOCKS LINING THE INTERIOR OF THE FIRST LAYER OF BLOCKS AND ARRANGED OVER SAID FIRST LAYER SO THAT NO DIRECT PATH OF HEAT LOSS IS PERMITTED TO THE SHELL OF THE CONTAINER, THE BLOCKS ARRANGED SIDE BY SIDE AS IN (2) AND AT LEAST 2 PERCENT OF THE FACE AREA OF EACH BLOCK CONTIGUOUS TO THE FACE OF THE BLOCK WITHIN THE FIRST LAYER ARE BONDED WITH A CRYOGENIC ADHESIVE TO THE FIRST LAYER OF BLOCKS,
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
86 words
AT LEAST A SECOND LAYER OF A PLURALITY OF INSULATING BLOCKS LINING THE INTERIOR OF THE FIRST LAYER OF BLOCKS AND ARRANGED OVER SAID FIRST LAYER SO THAT NO DIRECT PATH OF HEAT LOSS IS PERMITTED TO THE SHELL OF THE CONTAINER, THE BLOCKS ARRANGED SIDE BY SIDE AS IN (2) AND AT LEAST 2 PERCENT OF THE FACE AREA OF EACH BLOCK CONTIGUOUS TO THE FACE OF THE BLOCK WITHIN THE FIRST LAYER ARE BONDED WITH A CRYOGENIC ADHESIVE TO THE FIRST LAYER OF BLOCKS,
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
86 words
at least a second layer of a plurality of insulating blocks lining the interior of the first layer of blocks and arranged over said first layer so that no direct path of heat loss is permitted to the shell of the container, the blocks arranged side by side as in (2) and at least 2 percent of the face area of each block contiguoUs to the face of the block within the first layer are bonded with a cryogenic adhesive to the first layer of blocks,
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
86 words
at least a second layer of a plurality of insulating blocks lining the interior of the first layer of blocks and arranged over said first layer so that no direct path of heat loss is permitted to the shell of the container, the blocks arranged side by side as in (2) and at least 2 percent of the face area of each block contiguoUs to the face of the block within the first layer are bonded with a cryogenic adhesive to the first layer of blocks,
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The container of claim 1 wherein the contractable and expandable insulating material completely surrounds each insulating block and is flush with the sides of the blocks.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
55 words
a third layer of insulating blocks completely lining the interior of the second layer of insulating blocks and arranged over said second layer of insulating blocks so that no direct path of heat loss is permitted to the shell of the container, the blocks arranged side by side with sufficient space as defined in (2),
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
55 words
a third layer of insulating blocks completely lining the interior of the second layer of insulating blocks and arranged over said second layer of insulating blocks so that no direct path of heat loss is permitted to the shell of the container, the blocks arranged side by side with sufficient space as defined in (2),
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
a contractable and expandable insulating material completely surrounding each block within the first, second, and third layers of blocks and filling at least a portion of the space between the blocks within these layers,
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
a contractable and expandable insulating material completely surrounding each block within the first, second, and third layers of blocks and filling at least a portion of the space between the blocks within these layers,
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The container of claim 1 wherein the insulating block is either foamed polyvinyl chloride, foamed glass, or foamed urethane. b. The container of claim 1 wherein the insulating blocks closer to the Invar are smaller in area than the first layer of insulating blocks.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
a contractable and expandable insulating material surrounding the second layer of insulating blocks and filling at least a portion of the space between the blocks,
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
a contractable and expandable insulating material surrounding the second layer of insulating blocks and filling at least a portion of the space between the blocks,
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
A CONTRACTABLE AND EXPANDABLE INSULATING MATERIAL SURROUNDING THE SECOND LAYER OF INSULATING BLOCKS AND FILLING AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE SPACE BETWEEN THE BLOCKS,
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
A CONTRACTABLE AND EXPANDABLE INSULATING MATERIAL SURROUNDING THE SECOND LAYER OF INSULATING BLOCKS AND FILLING AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE SPACE BETWEEN THE BLOCKS,
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
51 words
A MEMBRANE OF Invar lining at least the walls and the bottom of the interior of the second layer of the insulating blocks and attached thereto by bonding with a cryogenic adhesive at least a sufficient portion of the area common to the blocks and the Invar to support the Invar.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
51 words
A MEMBRANE OF Invar lining at least the walls and the bottom of the interior of the second layer of the insulating blocks and attached thereto by bonding with a cryogenic adhesive at least a sufficient portion of the area common to the blocks and the Invar to support the Invar.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
51 words
a membrane of Invar lining at least the walls and the bottom of the interior of the second layer of the insulating blocks and attached thereto by bonding with a cryogenic adhesive at least a sufficient portion of the area common to the blocks and the Invar to support the Invar.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
51 words
a membrane of Invar lining at least the walls and the bottom of the interior of the second layer of the insulating blocks and attached thereto by bonding with a cryogenic adhesive at least a sufficient portion of the area common to the blocks and the Invar to support the Invar.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
at least about 2 percent of the face areas of each block within the first, second, and third layers of blocks that are common to each other are bonded with a cryogenic adhesive, and
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
at least about 2 percent of the face areas of each block within the first, second, and third layers of blocks that are common to each other are bonded with a cryogenic adhesive, and
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
47 words
a membrane of Invar completely lining the interior of the third layer of the insulating blocks and attached thereto by bonding with a cryogenic adhesive at least a sufficient portion of the area common to the third layer of blocks and the Invar to support the Invar.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
47 words
a membrane of Invar completely lining the interior of the third layer of the insulating blocks and attached thereto by bonding with a cryogenic adhesive at least a sufficient portion of the area common to the third layer of blocks and the Invar to support the Invar.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The container of claim 1 wherein the operating temperature range of the container is about 72* F. to about -350* F.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The container of claim 1 wherein the operating temperature range of the container is about 72* F. to about -260* F.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The container of claim 1 wherein the Invar completely lines the interior of the second layer of insulating blocks.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
9 words
A container for the confinement of cryogenic fluids comprising:
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
9 words
A container for the confinement of cryogenic fluids comprising:
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
The container of claim 10 wherein the operating temperature range is about 72* F. to about -260* F.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The container of claim 10 wherein the contractable and expandable insulating material that completely surrounds the blocks is flush with the sides of the blocks.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
The container of claim 10 wherein the insulating blocks are composed of either polyvinyl chloride, foam glass or foam urethane.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
28 words
The container of claim 10 wherein the insulating blocks closest to the Invar are smaller in area than the insulating blocks adhered to the interior of the shell.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
44 words
The container of claim 10 wherein a membrane of Invar is sandwiched between the second and third layers of insulating blocks and at least 2 percent of the areas common to each face of the blocks and Invar are bonded with a cryogenic adhesive.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |